President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Fox News host Pete Hegseth to be his defense secretary shocked the Pentagon and the wider defense community. Hegseth, a largely inexperienced figure in national security and foreign policy, was tapped to lead the world’s largest and most powerful military. His selection came as a surprise, especially given Trump’s decision to bypass a number of seasoned national security figures in favor of an Army National Guard officer known primarily for his role as co-host of *Fox & Friends Weekend*.
The announcement sparked confusion and concern in Washington. Some Republican lawmakers offered measured reactions, while others emphasized Hegseth’s combat experience or called him “tremendously capable.” However, his lack of expertise in defense policy left many wondering whether he was ready to take on such a critical role.
Hegseth’s selection could signal significant shifts within the military, particularly as he shares Trump’s opposition to what they see as “woke” initiatives in the armed forces. Hegseth has voiced strong opposition to programs promoting equity and inclusion, and has also questioned the role of women in combat. In interviews, he has argued that the inclusion of women in combat roles complicates military operations and leads to higher casualties.
During the 2016 election, Trump publicly endorsed Hegseth, even encouraging his supporters to buy his book, *The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free*. At a rally in Las Vegas, Trump said, “The woke stuff will be gone within a period of 24 hours,” if he won the presidency.
Hegseth, 44, is a staunch conservative and a vocal supporter of Trump’s “America First” policies. He has advocated for a more lethal military and has been critical of the integration of women into combat roles. In a 2020 interview on *The Shawn Ryan Show* podcast, Hegseth argued that mixed-gender units in combat complicate operations and reduce overall effectiveness. While he acknowledged that diversity could be a strength in the military, he suggested that women’s performance in combat roles did not match that of men, a controversial stance given the success of female soldiers in challenging special operations roles since the 2016 decision to open all combat positions to women.
Despite Trump’s praise for Hegseth as a “tough, smart, and true believer in America First,” critics quickly pointed out his limited qualifications for managing the Pentagon. Some speculated that Hegseth might be a figurehead, with the Trump White House running the department behind the scenes.
Other names floated as possible defense secretary picks included Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., chair of the House Armed Services Committee; retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg; Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa; and Robert Wilkie, former Pentagon official and head of the Department of Veterans Affairs during Trump’s first term.
Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, expressed concerns about Hegseth’s qualifications. “There is reason for concern that this is not a person who is serious enough to be a policymaker or implementer to do a successful job,” Smith said.
Hegseth’s lack of senior national security experience could complicate his Senate confirmation, according to Mark Cancian, a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “Trump was probably tired of fighting with his secretaries of defense and picked someone who would be loyal to him,” Cancian said.
Military officials privately expressed concern about Hegseth’s ability to manage the Pentagon, a department with an $800 billion budget and over 1.3 million active-duty troops, not to mention the many global crises he would face, including ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine, and the growing threat from China. Hegseth would also need to oversee the complex U.S. missile and nuclear defense systems and ensure the defense industry can meet the military’s evolving needs.
Rep. Smith highlighted the challenges ahead: “Running the Pentagon requires a lot of skill sets, and it’s unclear how Hegseth’s limited experience will translate to the role,” he said. “What’s your plan? How can you assure us that your lack of experience won’t hinder your ability to do the job?”
Some Republican senators were similarly cautious in their responses to Hegseth’s nomination. North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis called the decision “interesting,” while Indiana Sen. Todd Young, a former Marine, said he looked forward to learning more about Hegseth’s background and vision. North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven, who has a close relationship with Trump, suggested the nomination was not surprising, given Trump’s personal trust in Hegseth’s abilities. “He’s a tremendous communicator, and I look forward to getting to know him better,” Hoeven said.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., expressed support for Hegseth, noting that he would bring reform-minded leadership to the military.
Hegseth has been a prominent figure in conservative media since 2014, developing a close relationship with Trump, who regularly appeared on his show. As an author and outspoken advocate for veterans, Hegseth has gained a loyal following among Trump’s base. In a statement, Trump lauded Hegseth as the right man to lead the military: “With Pete at the helm, America’s enemies are on notice — Our Military will be Great Again, and America will Never Back Down. Nobody fights harder for the Troops, and Pete will be a courageous and patriotic champion of our ‘Peace through Strength’ policy.”
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